Dee Freeman, ‘The Young and the Restless’ star, dies at age 66 after lung cancer battle
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After fighting a long battle with lung cancer, 66-year-old versatile actress, Dolores ‘Dee’ Freeman, died on Thursday, April 2. The actress will be remembered for her remarkable work in 'The Young and the Restless' and Tyler Perry’s 'SISTAS'.
Informing about her death, the family announced that she died after a “brave and fearless fight” with stage 4 lung cancer. Freeman’s family shared a statement on her Instagram account about her death.
“On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you,” they prefaced in the post. “Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026 after a brave and fearless fight with cancer.”
The family also expressed gratitude for the support Freeman received during her battle with a fatal disease.
“Thank you to everyone who supported Dee during her battle. It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her,” the post further read. “We know Dee is up there in heaven, being the force of nature she always was. Now she’s doing it with her angel wings on. Rest in peace, Dee.”
Dee Freeman worked in Marine Corps and as radio DJ
Dee Freeman relocated to Japan to work as a radio DJ after serving 6 years in the Marine Corps in the United States.
Born in 1956, Dee made her onscreen debut in a 1995 episode of ABC’s Coach. She continued her acting endeavour with her appearance in shows like 'Party of Five', '3rd Rock from the Sun', 'Suddenly Susan', 'Seinfeld', 'Caroline in the City', 'Kenan & Kel', 'The X-Files', 'The Hughleys', 'Six Feet Under', 'ER', 'Bones', 'Dexter', 'The Young and the Restless', 'Shameless' and Tyler Perry’s 'Sistas'.
Dee played a character named Ribina Champagne in the parody reality show 'Pretty the Series' from 2012 to 2015.
During her last months, Freeman was converting her show 'Poison Gun', inspired by her family’s history, into a novel.
Condolences pour in after actress’ demise
"Oh, Ms Dee— Thank you for your beautiful energy and the light you brought to SISTAS. Prayers to the family," added actor Brian Jordan, Jr. "We will always speak your name."
Meanwhile, publicist Desirae Lee Brockington said, "I am so heartbroken. Dee was a true gem, and as her publicist, I watched her growth, her elevation and how she lit up every room she entered!! No more pain, I’m comforted knowing she is free."
